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Western Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
Seven Pembrokeshire beaches scoop Wales Coast Awards
Abereiddy, Freshwater East, Manorbier, Penally, Caerfai, Druidston, and West Angle Bay have all retained their Green Coast Award status. This means Pembrokeshire has the most Green Coast Award beaches in Wales. The Green Coast Award is given to beaches that are "hidden gems" of the Welsh coastline, boasting unspoilt beauty, excellent water quality, and a high standard of environmental education. The award is part of the Wales Coast Awards, which have been managed by Keep Wales Tidy for more than 20 years. The awards play a vital role in protecting the marine environment and are recognised worldwide as a symbol of quality. Keep Wales Tidy chief executive Owen Derbyshire said: "The Green Coast Awards celebrate Wales' beautiful and diverse coastline and are a testament to the huge effort of staff and volunteers at sites across Wales who work hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances. (Image: Fran Harper-Green) (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) "Most people are familiar with the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards – but it's just as important that we recognise the wild, unspoilt beaches that stretch along so much of the Welsh coast. "The Green Coast Award signifies the highest standards of water quality, environmental education, and site management. "These are the sweeping coastlines that define Wales on the world stage – and it's right that we celebrate these extraordinary places." The awards signify that a beach or marina meets and maintains the highest environmental standards and achieves tough water quality targets, as well as ensuring high standards of information provision, environmental education, safety, and site management. In addition to the 13 Green Coast Award recipients, 21 Welsh beaches were awarded Blue Flag status for 2025, recognising the excellent water quality, facilities, and safety provisions which make for a safe and fun day out at the seaside. Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: "Wales boasts some of Europe's finest beaches and water quality, and the global recognition of our coastline is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of so many people. "Today we celebrate the announcement of the Wales Coast Awards 2025 winners. "With 21 Blue Flag awards, 13 Green Coast Awards, and 15 Seaside Awards, I commend the dedication to preserving our pristine coastal environments. "As we celebrate this achievement, let us also heed the call to protect and preserve our coastal treasures. "Let's ensure that we leave nothing but footprints, allowing these breathtaking spaces to be enjoyed for many generations to come."
Irish Post
23-05-2025
- Irish Post
A clean sweep for Galway's beaches
CÉIBH an Spidéil beach has regained its coveted Blue Flag status after losing it in 2013. The announcement was made last week at the national Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards ceremony hosted by An Taisce at the Ravenport Resort in Curracloe, Co. Wexford. Céibh an Spidéil beach in County Galway, which has regained its coveted Blue Flag status (Pic: Galway County Council) The beach is among eight locations in County Galway to receive the prestigious Blue Flag for 2025, with a further six beaches recognised with Green Coast Awards. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised symbol awarded to bathing areas that meet exceptional standards in water quality, safety, environmental education, and beach management. Alongside Céibh an Spidéil, this year's Blue Flag recipients include Long Point at Loughrea Lake, Portumna bathing area, Trá Inis Oírr, Trá an Dóilín (An Cheathrú Rua), An Trá Mhór (Indreabhán), Trá Chill Mhuirbhigh (Inis Mór), and Traught Beach (Kinvara). Six Galway beaches were also honoured with Green Coast Awards, which recognise clean water and pristine natural environments in more remote or less developed areas. The view from the promenade The Green Coast awardees are Trá Inis Oírr and Trá Poll na gCaorach (Inis Oírr), East End and Dumhach (Inishbofin), Aillebrack (Ballyconneely), and Renvyle Beach (Tully). 'County Galway's beaches are renowned for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty, and we are delighted that once again so many of them have received the coveted Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards," Cllr. Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, said. She continued: 'These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who clean our beaches. I am particularly happy to see that the beach at Céibh an Spidéil has regained its Blue Flag which will be very much welcomed by the local community.' Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said: 'These awards let our citizens and people around the world know that County Galway is a wonderful place to live in and to visit and that our beaches are clean, well-managed and safe to enjoy. "We are grateful to the staff in Area Offices, Community Wardens, and all the volunteers and beach clean groups for all their hard work and dedication in ensuring our coastline is kept clean. "Galway has some of the best beaches in the country and we are proud to maintain them.' See More: Beaches, Galway, Ireland, Travel
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Three Wicklow beaches will have Blue Flag status this summer – but popular bathing spots miss out
Across Ireland, 99 Blue Flags and 70 Green Coast Awards were announced on Friday, with six beaches in neighbouring Wexford being awarded Blue Flags, and a further two being awarded on the northern border in south Dublin, along with Blue Flags being given to two of Wexford's marinas. However, for a fourth successive year Wicklow will only have three, with recognised beaches that attract plenty of swimmers missing out. The Blue Flags for this bathing season, which begins in June, go to the beaches that have long-held that status in the south of Greystones, and both north and south areas of Brittas Bay. Having last flown a Blue Flag in 2021, Bray has again failed to come up to the mark for the international award, as have all the beaches in Wicklow town and Arklow. Although water quality plays a part in obtaining a Blue Flag, there are many other boxes to tick, including having sufficient lifeguard cover, information boards, a drinking water supply and other facilities. Though they did not fit other criteria, Arklow South Beach, Wicklow Harbour and Bray South Promenade do have lifeguard cover in the bathing season, although Arklow South Beach's lifeguard hut will move this year to The Cove as the area was deemed safer for swimming. Last year Arklow South Beach earned a Green Coast Award, which recognised its clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. However, the beach has not been awarded that status this year. Despite this, Arklow South Beach was considered to have generally good quality water in the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report on bathing water quality, which was taken from last year's results. This finding is the second best for a less popular beach that is not managed under Bathing Water Quality Regulations, with 'highest quality' being the highest recordable standard. This was achieved by similar beaches at The Murrough in Wicklow town, Kilcoole and the area south of Bray Harbour. The bathing area in Wicklow Harbour achieved the next status down, termed 'meets minimum standard'. In the same report, recognised bathing areas at Wicklow's Blue Flag beaches all achieved the highest water quality rating of 'excellent', with Silver Strand near Wicklow town ranked just below at 'good' along with Bray South Promenade. From next year, The Cove in Greystones will be recorded. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Speaking at the launch of Blue Flags and Green Coast Awards in Curracloe in Wexford, Heritage Minister James Browne said: 'We've come a long way since the beginning of Ireland's Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and two marinas were recognised. 'This didn't happen by magic. Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy. 'Presenting these awards on a great day in Curracloe and – in the current good weather - anticipating the happy days ahead for so many families on this very beach over the summer, I am particularly proud that the beautiful beaches and marinas from around my own home county of Wexford are amongst those recognised today.' In Wexford, Carne, Curracloe, Ballinesker and Ballymoney, North Beach, Morriscastle, and Rosslare Strand, will all fly Blue Flags this year, along with Kilmore Quay and New Ross Marina. Additionally, the county has earned 10 Green Coast Awards for Baginbun Beach, Ballyhealy, Booley Bay, Cahore Point, Cullenstown Strand, Culleton's Gap, Grange, Old Bawn Beach, Rosslare Harbour Beach and St Helen's Bay. The first Green Coast Awards were presented to four beaches in Wexford in 2003. The award was rolled out nationally in 2008. An important aspect of it is the link with voluntary Clean Coasts groups, who participate in community clean-ups and help manage the applicant beaches in cooperation with local authorities. South Dublin's Blue Flag beaches are Seapoint in Dun Laoghaire and Killiney.
Dublin Live
16-05-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Full list of Dublin Blue Flag and Green Coast winners as record number awarded to Ireland
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A record number of Blue Flags are being awarded today in Ireland, 89 to beaches and 10 to marinas. The blue flag is one of the world's most recognised environmental awards and originated in France in 1985. The first year sites were awarded outside of France was in 1988 which saw 19 beaches and two marinas receiving the Blue Flag in Ireland. The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the world. The 89 Irish beaches and 10 marinas that have achieved this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management for the duration of the bathing season. The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. The first Green Coast Awards were presented to four beaches in Wexford in 2003. The award was rolled out nationally in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. The 2025 season sees a record equaling 70 beaches being awarded the Green Coast Award, the same number were awarded in 2024. Here are the Dublin winners of the awards: Dublin Blue Flag winners Donabate, Balcarrick Beach Portmarnock/Velvet Strand Seapoint Killiney Dublin Green Coast Award winner Balcarrick Beach, Donabate The awards were presented by Mr. James Browne TD – Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the presentation ceremony held in the Ravenport Resort in Curracloe, County Wexford today. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Browne said: 'Given that the Blue Flag programme is an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety, I am honoured to present a record number of awards today – 99 Blue Flags and 70 Green Coast Awards. 'We've come a long way since the beginning of Ireland's Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and 2 marinas were recognised. 'This didn't happen by magic. Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy. 'Presenting these awards on a great day in Curracloe and – in the current good weather - anticipating the happy days ahead for so many families on this very beach over the summer, I am particularly proud that the beautiful beaches and marinas from around my own home county of Wexford are amongst those recognised today.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Revealed: Ireland's best beaches at the Blue Flag awards – as one county tops the list
Yesterday, a record number of Blue Flags were awarded around the country, with 89 beaches and 10 marinas securing the prestigious environmental award. A total of 70 beaches also received the Green Coast Award for 2025, recognising a clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Ten beaches across the country managed to achieve dual status, with both a Blue Flag and Green Coast Award, securing their status among the country's finest. On this illustrious list were; Cork was the county that achieved the most Green Coast Awards this year with 14, and the Rebel County also has the highest combined number of award flags with 27, including the Blue Flags awarded to Kinsale Yacht Club and The Royal Cork Yacht Club and 11 Blue Flags awarded to beaches managed by Cork County Council. Only Cork was awarded more than the 10 Green Coast Awards handed to Wexford beaches this year, ensuring the sunny south-east also remains a go-to destination for beach lovers this summer. In terms of Blue Flag beaches, major improvements were noted at Cappagh Pier in Clare; Counsellors' Strand in Dunmore East and Tramore Beach in Co Waterford and Ballymoney, North Beach, in Co Wexford. The 89 beaches awarded Blue Flags represent 60pc of Ireland's identified bathing waters. This is the second highest percentage of identified bathing waters to receive a Blue Flag to date. Some Blue Flags of note for 2025 included Céibh an Spidéal in Co Galway, which has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time since 2012. Keel Beach on Achill Island in Co Mayo has been awarded a Blue Flag for the 37th consecutive year, the beach having retained its Blue Flag status each season since it was first awarded in 1989. Three other beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag in 37 non-consecutive seasons, Clonea in Waterford and Banna and Ballyheigue, both in Co Kerry. Kerry is the county with most Blue Flags in 2025 with 15. Fourteen of these are managed by Kerry County Council and one, Portmagee Seasonal Pontoons, is managed by Kilrush Maritime Ltd. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The local authorities with most Blue Flag awarded sites are Kerry County Council and Donegal County Council, both have been awarded 14 Blue Flags this year. It was appropriate that in glorious Wexford sunshine, a stone's throw from one of the country's finest beaches at Curracloe, Local Government Minister James Browne met with representatives of An Taisce to reveal the list of Ireland's Blue Flag beaches and marinas. Delighted to see so many beaches and marinas in his home county feature on the list, Mr Browne noted the major strides being made in coastal communities right across the country. 'Presenting these awards on a great day in Curracloe and – in the current good weather – anticipating the happy days ahead for so many families on this very beach over the summer, I am particularly proud that the beautiful beaches and marinas from around my own home county of Wexford are amongst those recognised today,' he said. 'Given that the Blue Flag programme is an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety, I am honoured to present a record number of awards today – 99 Blue Flags and 70 Green Coast Awards. 'We've come a long way since the beginning of Ireland's Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and two marinas were recognised. 'This didn't happen by magic. Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy.' Director of education and community action at An Taisce, Cathy Baxter added her congratulations to all the local authorities, marina operators and clean coasts groups responsible for managing the awarded beaches and marinas.
